GALLE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Opener Keaton Jennings closed in on a second test century as England reached 212 for four, an overall lead of 351, at tea on the third day of the opening test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Jennings was unbeaten on 98, having combined for 107 runs with Ben Stokes after England lost three wickets in the morning session on a day of relatively slow scoring.

After Stokes was removed, Jos Buttler had reached 14 at the other end with England primed to claim victory in the first match of a three-test series.

The tourists resumed on 38-0 with the openers consolidating their position until Rory Burns' foolhardy pursuit of a non-existent single culminated in his downfall.